Sheets earns start

Starter is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA so far this year

NEW YORK -- Ben Sheets had no way of knowing that he was auditioning for his first All-Star Game start last Wednesday during a regularly scheduled assignment against Colorado.

Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who just happens to be running the National League all-star team, left Miller Park duly impressed that day despite the fact his club beat Sheets and the Milwaukee Brewers.

"I got to take a good look at Ben, up close and personal," said Hurdle.

"The fact that he struck out 11 of us in (six) innings kind of caught my eye. I'm real smart like that. I pick up on things pretty quick.

"We kept swinging and missing. I thought that's a good pitch. If he can repeat that in the All-Star Game, we'll have a shot."

Hurdle made it official Monday morning when the respective all-star starters were introduced at a media session at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. Cleveland left-hander Cliff Lee got the nod for the American League.

The American league will try to extend its unbeaten string to 12 years Tuesday night in the last All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium.

Sheets learned of the assignment late Sunday night when he checked into the team hotel with Brewers teammates Ryan Braun and Corey Hart.

A Major League Baseball representative was waiting to tell him that he had been selected to start for the first time in four all-star appearances.

Sheets already was eagerly anticipating his first Yankee Stadium experience.

The veteran right-hander knew he was under consideration for the assignment but could barely believe it nevertheless.

"I said, 'You're kidding,'" recalled Sheets.

"They said they don't kid about stuff like that.

"It's incredible. It doesn't get any better than this. For one or two innings, I'll let it go."

The fact that Sheets was well-rested was a big factor in his selection.

Some of the other top pitchers in the league, such as Arizona's Brandon Webb and San Francisco's Tim Lincecum, pitched on Sunday.

Another pitcher under consideration, Cincinnati's Edinson Volquez, faced the Brewers on Saturday.

But Hurdle made it clear that his decision wasn't based solely on workload.

"His pedigree speaks for itself, as does his resume," said Hurdle.

"He brings his lunch pail to work every day, takes the ball, no nonsense. I like everything about him.

"I've liked him for a long time, since he came off the Olympic team. I've watched him pitch. It's a good place for him to start. He gives us power and the breaking ball. I thought this would be an opportunity he would embrace.

"He's got a lot of energy and a lot of passion, so it was a perfect match for me."

Sheets (10-3, 2.85 ERA) will face a power-packed AL lineup that has Texas' Josh Hamilton, New York's Alex Rodriguez and Boston's Manny Ramirez in the middle.

That trio combined for 58 home runs and 208 RBI in the first half.

While doing his best to gear up to tackle the toughest lineup he has ever faced, Sheets said he also wanted to soak in as much of the atmosphere as possible.

"I've never been to Yankee Stadium," said Sheets, who indicated the interview sessions made him more nervous than the game itself. "I'm just going to try to take it all in and enjoy myself.

"It's a huge honor. It was something I really didn't think about. But right before I left, a lot of my teammates really wanted me to get this opportunity. The more they asked me, the more I realized how big an opportunity this could be, how thrilling this could be.

"I'm really looking forward to going out there tomorrow and putting my best foot forward."

AL manager Terry Francona said it was an easy choice to go with Lee.

Lee was 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA during the first half for the otherwise disappointing Indians.

"From the very first start of the year, to three days ago, he has been the most outstanding starting pitcher in the league," said Francona.

Everyone on the NL side is seeking to end the AL's dominance and finally give their league the home-field advantage in the World Series.

Since that format was adopted, the AL has won five consecutive games, part of an 11-year undefeated string (10-0-1, with a tie in Milwaukee in 2002).

With the designated hitter being used, Hurdle selected St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols to fill that role and bat cleanup, surrounded by Houston first baseman Lance Berkman and Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones.

Texas' Milton Bradley is filling in as the AL DH for Boston's David Ortiz, unable to play because of a wrist injury.

Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun, voted into the starting outfield by the fans, will bat in the seventh spot in the order, ahead of two Chicago Cubs, centerfielder Kosuke Fukudome and catcher Geovany Soto.

"We're not going to play for a tie," said Hurdle. "We are definitely going to throw it out there.

"We play this game for the championship ring.

"This game now gives a team a better opportunity, by winning this game, to win that championship ring. That is the one point that I do want to make sure that our club is aware of and responsible for as we take the field."